In a glimpse of what is to come in 2022 in the midterm elections, a Republican flipped a state House seat that has been held by Democrats for the past 6 years, and to add insult to injury, he garnered 60% of the vote. This adds to the already hefty majority that the Republicans held in the House. Republican Jon Dunwell defeated Democrat Steve Mullan in a special election. This is the second flip Republicans have recorded this year.
The Republican State Leadership Committee in Connecticut announced earlier this tear:
“State Republicans tonight delivered the first flip of a state legislative seat in a special election by either party in 2021, as Republican Ryan Fazio defeated liberal Democrat Alex Gevanter in Connecticut’s state Senate District 36 – a district Joe Biden won by more than 25% in 2020.”
You can also include the state Senate job in McAllen, Texas, where a Republican won for the first time. McAllen is 80% Hispanic and the county went to Hillati in 2016 by 40 points. Biden won it in 2020 by 17%. The Democrats cannot be very confident of their chances of retaining either house of the US Congress. That’s because neither Biden nor the Democrats can be counted on to do anything good before then.
Jon Dunwell said in the statement:
“Thank you, Jasper County, for putting your faith in me to be your voice in the Iowa Statehouse. Throughout this campaign, I have had the honor of hearing from so many of you — those who agreed with me and those who offered opposing viewpoints. I have learned so much and am eager to get to work representing each and every one of you.”
Sen Chuck Grassley added:
“Jon flipped a seat held by Ds 4 decades. Iowans are resoundingly rejecting liberal policies coming from DC and influencing Dems in Iowa. IA GOP listens to their concerns and delivers on campaign promises. That’s why Iowans continue 2 grow our majority in the IA House.”
The Des Moines Register reported:
Republican Jon Dunwell has won a special election for the Iowa House, flipping a Newton-based district that Democrats have held for years.
Dunwell led Democrat Steve Mullan Tuesday night with 60% of the vote, a difference of 930 votes, according to the Jasper County Auditor’s Office. The results are unofficial until they are certified by the Jasper County Board of Supervisors.
Dunwell, 55, is a pastor and financial services representative who has lived in Newton with his wife for 10 years. They have two children and two dogs. Previously, he was a pastor in Orlando, Florida, for 21 years.
Iowa House District 29 includes Newton, Colfax, Mingo, Kellogg, Prairie City, Baxter and parts of rural Jasper County.
